Layout Central

Control model railway turnouts, track power and uncouplers on your layout using physical or virtual control panels. This iPad app provides virtual panels over WiFi.

Control Panel Designs design and manufacture control panels for the model railway hobby. Hobby enthusiasts use our custom made physical control panels, an iPad app, or both, to control the turnouts, track power and un-couplers on their layout. This app allows customers to control their model railway from an iPad, and using WiFi. The app also contains electronic manuals and diagrams, and includes a tour of our solution to show how it works. Anybody can download and use this app for free, with no obiligation to purchase or use our solution.

The app helps you to understand our solution and to assist with the design of your panels.

Before you can control your model railway with the app we need to design and manufacture your panels, as well as ship you the Layout Controller hardware. Physical panels are connected to the Layout Controller with Ethernet cables. iPads connect to the Layout Controller with WiFi and are used by customers who do not want or need physical panels, or who want the best of both worlds.

There is no limit to the number of iPads that can be used with the solution. The app can also be used with more than one model railway, as it loads the required panels immediately after connecting with a given Layout Controller.

Customers that use physical control panels also use the app to provide for central or mobile control of the layout without needing to be in front of a physical panel.

The app is also very helpful when installing and testing turnout motors, as you can be doing this under the model railway, and using the app in situation to ensure the turnout is working correctly.